Minutes 06-22-15
MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD MEETING HELD IN
COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BLVD.,
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015, AT 6:30 P.M.
PRESENT:
Elizabeth Pierce-Roe, Chair Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director
Charles Kanter Glenda Hall, Forestry and Grounds Manager
Renee Stern
Jeffrey Fromknecht, Alternate
ABSENT
:
Catherine Scantlan, Vice Chair
Michael Byrd
Robert Lapin
Julie Mondello, Alternate
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Pierce-Roe called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
II. ATTENDANCE
Roll was called by Chair Pierce-Roe.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION
made by Mr. Kanter, seconded by Ms. Stern, to approve the minutes of the
04/27/15 meeting as written. The board agreed by consensus to approve.
IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. City Commission Meeting – July 7
Mr. Majors requested that the Board members attend the City Commission meeting on
July 7, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. for the following reasons:
Presentation of a Proclamation for July - Parks and Recreation Month
City Commission to publicly express appreciation for Board members’ service
B. Leased Dogs at Parks
Mr. Majors reported that the City Commission approved the recommendation from the
Board to extend the trial period at the four parks for another year.
Meeting Minutes
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida June 22, 2015
C. Greater Boynton Beach Foundation
Mr. Majors said there was no representative available to attend this meeting, as
previously planned. They will attend the July meeting instead.
Mr. Fromknecht commented that he met with Ms. Evans from the Foundation Board and
said they are small, but they are trying to get underway. He mentioned that one of the
interns at his shop will help them do research to identify some potential foundations for
funding. Mr. Fromknecht said they are considering a pancake breakfast and a
fundraising run.
Upon request from Mr. Majors, Mr. Fromknecht described that his nonprofit helps other
nonprofits with legal and fundraising issues. They have interns from law school who
assist.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Recreation & Open Space Element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan
Mr. Majors shared they are at the beginning stages of updating the part of the City’s
Comprehensive Plan that deals with park maintenance, accessibility, greenway and
bikeway plan, standards for park acquisition and development, level of service
applicable to the City (currently 2.5 acres per 1,000 residents), and advisory level of
service standards for items such as baseball fields, community centers, playgrounds,
etc. The City’s Planning Department is gathering the updates for an August 2016
deadline.
Mr. Majors said it has been 10 years since the last update, and it has a direct
relationship to the System Master Plan. He emphasized that the Comprehensive Plan
is very broad in nature.
B. System Master Plan (provision of facilities, programs and services;
parkland acquisition and development; maintenance and operations;
and administration and management)
Mr. Majors advised that the System Master Plan will also be updated; it was last brought
to the Board in 2008. Over the next few months, staff will be bringing the item back to
the Board for discussion on park development.
Mr. Majors distributed a map of the parks in the City, pointing out the Community Parks,
Neighborhood Parks, Urban and Open Civic Spaces, Water Access Parks, Special Use
Parks, Conservation Lands, and Regional Parks. The System Master Plan Map will be
the document they will be discussing in the future.
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Meeting Minutes
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida June 22, 2015
Mr. Fromknecht asked how the level of service is determined, and Mr. Majors replied
that the National Association recommended levels of service at one time. The levels
affect impact fees collected by the City. Mr. Majors said they are “right around” the 2.5
acres per 1,000 residents per the current population. He added that the level of service
has to be adjusted/approved by the City Commission.
C. Quantum Park Site Master Plan Presentation
Mr. Kanter provided a history of the park site, noting that a private/public organization
(Quantum Park Overlay Development District) governs the whole area. Using a
PowerPoint presentation, he described the boundaries of the site.
Mr. Kanter advised that the Development District gave the site to the City to combine
with the City-owned park to make a 60-acre eco park. He mentioned that all the exotics
have been removed, and the area is fenced. Mr. Kanter noted the huge development
being planned for the adjacent area. He said a floating boat ramp has been discussed.
Mr. Kanter stated that on February 12, 2015, there was a major meeting to discuss the
project with the Quantum Park Overlay Development District, the “City fathers,” and the
Fraternal Order of Police (who own a piece of property on Miner Road). He said the
meeting was successful and referred to a report that had been emailed to the Board
members.
Mr. Kanter mentioned that five years ago, his community wanted to adopt the park, but
the concept was rejected. Now, volunteers are “ready, willing, and able” to work on the
park. He talked about the demographics of the neighborhood, which has lots of
families. He also mentioned that the dock on the canal would link the park to Lake
Osborne in the north and Lake Ida in the south.
Mr. Kanter advised that funds are needed to help the park, and suggested
Crowdfunding as one way of doing that, and sponsorships as another.
Mr. Majors stated that whenever a site is developed, by law the exotics have to be
removed.
Mr. Majors advised that the Board should focus on one park as a priority and said the
matter would be on the agenda for next month.
D. REAP Program –
tabled
E. Shade Sails
Mr. Majors reported he has included funding in the Capital Improvement Plan budget to
install shade sails over two of the playgrounds that have poured-in-place rubber. The
shade would increase the lifespan of equipment and the ground surface material.
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Meeting Minutes
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida June 22, 2015
Noting the amount has to be approved by the City Commission, Mr. Majors said he has
put in for $75,000 each for two parks, Intracoastal Park and another to be determined.
He said Barrier Free Park and Jaycee Park are strong possibilities. He asked the Board
to consider which park they would like to see selected, adding he wants the whole
Board to discuss it. He offered to provide recommendations to the Board based on
surfaces, square footage, etc. Hester Park is a popular playground, although it does not
have the poured-in-place rubber material.
F. December Meeting?
Mr. Majors recommended that the December meeting be cancelled due to its proximity
to the Christmas holiday. No objection was heard.
The November meeting is generally rescheduled due to Thanksgiving, and it could be
scheduled for November 30, 2015. Mr. Majors will ensure there will be a recording
secretary and a meeting place.
VI. ITEMS FOR THE CITY MANAGER’S ATTENTION
Mr. Majors said that if individual Board members see vandalism at one of the parks, it is
better to call the Police Department rather than bringing it up at a Board meeting.
VII. NEXT MEETING – JULY 27, 2015
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no further business, Chair Pierce-Roe adjourned the meeting at 7:23 p.m.
[Minutes transcribed by J. Rubin, Prototype, Inc.]
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